David Coote, a former Premier League referee, has admitted to committing an offense involving indecent images of a child. The 43-year-old faced the court at Nottingham Crown Court, where he entered a guilty plea related to a category A video, the most serious classification of such content, which was seized by police in February.
Details of the Offense
Coote resides on Woodhill Road in Collingham, Nottinghamshire. During the court proceedings, he was granted conditional bail and is set to return on December 11. Judge Nirmal Shant KC mandated a pre-sentence report, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter. He stated, “You have pleaded guilty to a serious matter. Whether this leads to imprisonment will be determined once all information is reviewed.”
Timeline of Events
- January 2, 2020: Coote transferred the illicit video from a hard drive to a laptop.
- September 10, 2023: Coote previously pleaded not guilty at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
- November 2023: Conditional bail granted, with a court appearance scheduled for December 11.
Background Information
The charge against Coote includes activities such as downloading, sharing, or saving abusive images. During the brief six-minute hearing, Coote appeared in a navy suit and black tie, confirming his identity as he entered his guilty plea.
Judge Shant KC warned that Coote should not assume he will avoid a custodial sentence. This incident comes on the heels of Coote’s dismissal last year after controversial remarks regarding former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp became public. Earlier this year, he received an eight-week suspension from the Football Association, linked to the same footage.
Personal Context
In January, Coote publicly came out as gay in an interview with The Sun. He discussed his lifelong struggle with his sexuality, which he indicated has influenced his previous behavior and statements.
This latest development in Coote’s life marks a significant turning point, bringing renewed attention to the complexities of his public and private personas.
